From: David Ocame (docame_at_sbcglobal.net)
Date: Sat Jan 10 2004 - 04:21:33 PST
I must agree, at least in part, with Marko. It is the case that we have gotten 10 times the science from unmanned missions. Human missions are almost always publicity stunts with low scientific return. And, why this insistence on completing ISS? How long has it been in orbit? How long have we had a Human presence onboard continuosly? What science or technology returns have we seen?
I also wrote the President, but urging him to spend more on robotic exploration and abandon the ISS. But, fear not. I don't think he's going to be listening to me. I've seen news reports that this new initiative is motivated by a concern for National Security, not science.
BTW, I am skeptical that this President knows anything about m-branes or superstring theory.
Thanks,
Dave Ocame
rko Cebokli <s57uuu_at_hamradio.si> wrote:
> > President George Bush:
> > RETURN TO THE MOON!!!
> >
> > YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
> >
> > Thank you for having the courage to lead us to our destiny of colonizing
> > the Moon and Mars.
Well, in some prior announcement I read something about reducing the
funds to 'other' space projects and concentrating them on this....
This could mean cutting things like Pluto and comet missions, etc....
to fund some politically motivated 'Buck Rogers' excursions.
So I'm afraid this is actually BAD news, as far as science goes!
And 'colonization' is a dirty word that I thing should not be used here!
I think we have enough bad experience with that back on Earth...
Even if there are only microbes on Mars, do we have the right to go there
and trample over them?
Marko Cebokli
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Dave Ocame, N1YVV
East Shore Park Observatory
FN31ng
-72.53856 longitude
41.16797 latitude
"That's no moon! It's an Argus Station!!!"
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